More Than a Quarter of Adults in NYC have Herpes

More than a quarter of adults in New York City are infected with the virus that causes genital herpes, according a study by the city's health department. The study found that 26 percent of city residents have the virus -- 7 percentage points above the national average.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has a website that talks about how you get herpes. They report that the viruses that cause herpes can be found in and released from the sores that the viruses cause, but they also are released between outbreaks from skin that does not appear to have a sore. Generally, a person can only get the herpes infection during sexual contact with someone who has a genital HSV-2 infection. Transmission can occur from an infected partner who does not have a visible sore and may not know that he or she is infected.

Genital herpes causes recurrent painful genital sores in many adults, and herpes infection can be severe in people with suppressed immune systems. Regardless of severity of symptoms, genital herpes frequently causes psychological distress in people who know they are infected. In addition, genital HSV can lead to potentially fatal infections in babies. As a consequence, it is important that women avoid contracting herpes during pregnancy because a newly acquired infection during late pregnancy poses a greater risk of transmission to the baby. If a woman has active genital herpes at delivery, a cesarean delivery is usually performed. The CDC also reports that herpes may play a role in the spread of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. Herpes can make people more susceptible to HIV infection, and it can make HIV-infected individuals more infectious.

Genital ulcer diseases can occur in both male and female genital areas that are covered or protected by a latex condom, as well as in areas that are not covered. Correct and consistent use of latex condoms can reduce the risk of genital herpes, but there is no treatment that can cure herpes.

I react everytime I see a Valtrex commercial. The commercials glamorize and minimize the affects of this terrible illness. I have seen the reality of herpes in working with teens and women experiencing unplanned pregnancies. My first encounter with the disease was with a 14 year girl. This girl will have a life time challenge dealing with the symptoms and ramifications of herpers. The CDC tells us that the "surest way to avoid transmission of sexually transmitted diseases, including genital herpes, is to abstain from sexual contact, or to be in a long-term mutually monogamous relationship with a partner who has been tested and is known to be uninfected." This is also the surest way to avoid an unintended pregnancy.

I wish there was some way to get society, particularly young people, to open their eyes and understand the devestating consequences that can occur through the choices that they make......